Solar powered wing vehicle using flywheels for energy storage
US8002216B2 · kind B2 · utility
8Cited by
16References
19Claims
0Family size
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 13, 2008 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/60
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A solar powered air vehicle that can stay aloft for indefinite periods of time. The vehicle employs photovoltaic solar cells for primary power and high speed counter-rotating flywheels for energy storage and steering of the vehicle. The flywheels are placed in the wing to reduce airfoil drag. A control law provides three-axis stabilized control of the vehicle by controlling propeller pitch to vary the speeds of the flywheels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.